Using interesting new computational methods, scientists at MIT are studying the structure of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and their mutation patterns, research that might discover new soft spots for future drugs against this neurological disorder.

Alzheimer’s is characterized by two kinds of proteins — amyloid and tau — that aggregate in the brain. Stultz and co-author Austin Huang, an HST graduate student, have focused on determining the structure of tau.
But there’s a problem. “Tau is ‘natively unfolded,’ or floppy, so in solution it moves around a lot and can adopt many different structures,” Stultz said [Collin M. Stultz, the leader of the work and the W.M. Keck Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science], much like the individual strands in a bowl of cooked spaghetti. Contrast that to the vast majority of other proteins, whose individual strands have similar structures, like the individual strands of uncooked spaghetti.
“With a ‘normal’ protein,” Stultz said, “you can measure the lengths of individual molecules and the average will be a pretty good description of any one.” Tau molecules, however, “are all over the place — they’re so diverse that it’s difficult to get one measurement that describes all of the possible structures.”
That complicates the hunt for specific tau structures associated with Alzheimer’s (not all tau is bad).
Stultz and Huang approached the problem as engineers, breaking it down into steps. Using a method they developed called Energy-minima Mapping and Weighting (EMW), they asked a computer to come up with all possible structures of tau that are consistent with an average set of experimental data.
“We generated lots and lots of structures for both normal tau and a mutant form” associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer’s, Stultz said. By comparing the two sets, the researchers found one structure that was more common in the mutant form — and therefore likely to “play a role in the pathologic process.” That structure, in turn, could then become the target for a new drug.

Medical technologies transform the world! Join us and see the progress in real time. At Medgadget, we report the latest technology news, interview leaders in the field, and file dispatches from medical events around the world since 2004.

Event Details

ME Conferences is organizing "18th International Conference on Gastroenterology and Digestive Disorders" during September 16-17, 2019, Dubai, UAE. Conference highlights

more

Event Details

ME Conferences is organizing “18th International Conference on Gastroenterology and Digestive Disorders” during September 16-17, 2019, Dubai, UAE. Conference highlights the theme- Improving Access in Gastroenterology: From Past to Future.

Gastro Meet 2019 is a leading platform for a focused agenda of the current research in the field of gastroenterology which includes, guest lectures, keynotes, symposiums, workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, and poster sessions. We invite Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists, General Physicians, Microbiologists, Oncologists, Surgeons, Researchers, Students, and Business delegates to join us at Dubai in August 2018 for the 2-day power packed Gastroenterologists Meet.

Time

september 16 (Monday) - 17 (Tuesday)

Organizer

Event Details

Join thousands of passionate innovators at Europe's greatest festival of health tech innovation. The Global Innovation and New Technology Health Event showcases leading health tech from around the world and

Event Details

Join thousands of passionate innovators at Europe’s greatest festival of health tech innovation. The Global Innovation and New Technology Health Event showcases leading health tech from around the world and is accelerating innovation in an inspiring and creative environment. Super early bird half-price ticket sales begins on 7 May.

Time

Location

Event Details

LogiMed is the only European event designed for medical device supply chain directors and their teams. It is where Heads of Supply Chain and Logistics from the top pharma companies

more

Event Details

LogiMed is the only European event designed for medical device supply chain directors and their teams. It is where Heads of Supply Chain and Logistics from the top pharma companies in Europe gather to benchmark, interact, network and develop professionally.

Only at LogiMed will you have the chance to learn from and network with all the major medical device companies, key hospitals, and the most innovative industry suppliers. All openly sharing the do’s and don’ts to help you adapt to new regulations, redefine your supply chain strategy-covering planning, logistics and customer service to achieve greater end-to-end supply chain operations.

Download the agenda to find out exactly who is speaking, what the hottest topics are and how LogiMed can benefit you. LogiMed 2019 will bring together 250 Medical Device Supply Chain Professionals and 50 expert speakers over 2 value packed days.

Time

Location

Event Details

HLTH is the largest and most important conference for health innovation. It’s an unprecedented, large-scale forum for collaboration across senior

more

Event Details

HLTH is the largest and most important conference for health innovation. It’s an unprecedented, large-scale forum for collaboration across senior leaders from established payers, providers, employers, and pharma services, as well as from disruptive startups, prolific investors, representatives from government, academia, health associations, business groups, media, and industry analysts. The event is unique in creating a marketplace for the key stakeholders leading the dialogue and development of a new health ecosystem. HLTH’s mission is to be a catalyst to drive substantial reductions in health costs and dramatic increases in health quality. HLTH takes place on October 27-30, 2019 at the MGM Grand’s brand new conference facility.

Medgadget readers can receive $150 off a HLTH ticket with code medgadget150.

Time

october 27 (Sunday) - 30 (Wednesday)

Location

Event Details

Exponential Medicine is a unique and intensive four-day experience that gathers world-class faculty, innovators and organizations from across the biomedical and technology spectrum to explore and leverage the convergence of

more

Event Details

Exponential Medicine is a unique and intensive four-day experience that gathers world-class faculty, innovators and organizations from across the biomedical and technology spectrum to explore and leverage the convergence of fast moving technologies in the reinvention of health and medicine.

Our home in San Diego at the iconic Hotel del Coronado is the magic X-factor in building connections and catalyzing deeper-than-usual conversation among faculty and participants. We make full use of one of America’s most beautiful seaside resorts; its history beautifully complements the future-focus of Exponential Medicine.

From talks given in a custom-designed theater with multiple configurations for listening and idea generation, to our hands-on technology lab, beachside morning yoga, dinners, and bonfires—Exponential Medicine is a high energy, bold redesign of a medical conference.

Time

Event Details

The World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) is a unique global forum that brings together leaders of

more

Event Details

The World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) is a unique global forum that brings together leaders of national and international hospital and healthcare organizations to discuss key drivers of national and international policy, management, financial trends and solutions in healthcare management and service delivery. Through this forum multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, expertise and experiences are facilitated, together with dialogue on best practices in leadership in hospital and healthcare management and delivery of services. The IHF World Hospital Congress is a one-stop shop for the healthcare professional seeking the opportunity and environment in which to engage in a 360-degree learning and knowledge-sharing experience among peers.

The Ministry of Health of the Sultanate of Oman is proud to host the 43rd World Hospital Congress with the theme “People at the heart of health services in peace and crisis”. Together with the IHF, they invite all hospital and health service leaders from around the globe to join the event on 7-9 November 2019 in Muscat.

Medical technologies transform the world! Join us and see the progress in real time. At Medgadget, we report the latest technology news, interview leaders in the field, and file dispatches from medical events around the world since 2004.